Stumped about what to give the gardener on your list? Here are some ideas: A good pair of insulated, water-repellent gloves that will keep working hands warm when temperatures drop below freezing Sturdy chore boots, 100% waterproof Professional hand pruners or folding hand saw – Felco is a great brand Japanese weeding knife and sheath, useful to…
Laura has been busy updating your containers and windowboxes for winter this past week. Please let Priscilla <phw@seedlingspecialist.com> know at once if you are interested in a natural outdoor arrangement of winter greens, berries and colored twigs for your home.
Dormant pruning will be ongoing this winter as weather permits with a select PBOG crew. We have several orchards on our list, along with Kousa dogwood trees, forsythia hedges, and other deciduous material. It is easiest to see a plant’s structure when its leaves have dropped. Also it’s the traditional time to prune fruit trees during cool temperatures…
So far, we have cut back most perennials, installed shrub protectors against falling ice and snow from roofs, put up deer fencing, and are applying anti-desiccant and deer repellents to vulnerable shrubs. Once the ground freezes, we will be finishing up a few final garden chores: Protecting tender rose crowns with cones of compost Covering…
I was all set to write an article about alternatives to the Burning Bush (Euonymus alatus), and to highlight why this is an important issue for your own yard. Instead, I found that someone else had already written this article! So, please read on. I was especially interested in Emily DeBolt’s comparison of foliage color on specific native…
Mid-November on the calendar means it’s time for Reese and Rick to spray deer repellent and anti-desiccant to protect vulnerable plants from winter damage. If you’ve ever had browning of rhododendrons, boxwoods, hollies, leucothoes, or mountain laurels, you know what I mean by winter damage. This is caused by repeated cold winds or sudden shifts in temperature…
We will plan on filling your empty urns and window-boxes with winter greens, red berries and colorful dogwood stems in late November. This is perfect timing for the holiday season. Our Decor Coordinator, Laura Semple, will have some fresh new ideas for you, no doubt! All evergreens are treated with an anti-desiccant that is biodegradable…
Many questions have come in about pruning roses in fall. I’m not in favor of this action, since we don’t know what kind of winter lies ahead. Canes are often damaged in severe weather, and a cut made now won’t fully heal. There is the potential for further damage. Long, floppy vegetative canes won’t bloom…
Reese has serviced our leaf shredder to make this annual chore go faster and to produce a small, evenly sized product. Shredded leaves are perfect for mulching garden beds that are planted closely, especially woodland gardens. Please contact Kimberly for an estimate, <kimberly@pumpkinbrookorganicgardening.com> as we’ll be rolling this service out soon!
Please be extra careful and check yourself, children and pets after walking or playing outdoors this month! Leaves are dropping early and coating the ground. Ticks prefer to hide in this type of moist, enclosed environment. Our tick and mosquito spray program using essential oils can help, so now is the time to sign up…